Wednesday, January 7, 2015

SORSOGON CITY—A fish vendor selling sea turtle (pawikan) meat was apprehended by the local police after their office received a report regarding the said prohibited activity.

The green sea turtle is one of the most common species of pawikan in Sorsogon.
Photo: BFAR

P03 Franklin Mallapre, the apprehending officer, said that they have intensified their campaign against violators of RA 9147, otherwise known as the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act, in this province.

The suspect was named as Benjamin Dimaano y Echano, 67 years of age, and a resident of Barangay Salvacion, Bacon District, here.

He is regularly engaged in selling fish here and in the nearby towns.

P03 Mallapre responded to a complaint from a local resident who said Dimaano had in his possession around 12 kilos of turtle meat. He was selling the illegal commodity for P500.

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) has been actively campaigning against the capture and selling of the said endangered marine animal.

A complaint for violating RA 9147 will be filed against Dimaano by the PNP.—BICOLSTANDARD.COM